Linz, Austria (SportsNetwork.com) - Former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone was among Monday's opening-round winners at the Generali Ladies Linz tennis tournament.
The Italian veteran topped Czech Karolina Pliskova 7-5, 6-2 on the indoor hardcourts at TipsArena Linz.
Also on Day 1, Ukrainian Elina Svitolina bested German Mona Barthel 6-2, 7-5 and the Day 1 nightcap saw Swiss Stefanie Voegele overtake Czech veteran Klara Zakopalova 5-7, 7-5, 6-0.
The top seeds in Linz are German Angelique Kerber, American Sloane Stephens and former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic. The Serbian Ivanovic titled here in 2008 and 2010. Stephens will face Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova, while Ivanovic will encounter Belgian Yanina Wickmayer on Tuesday. Kerber will battle Romanian Monica Niculescu on Wednesday.
This week's winner will claim $43,700.
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